THE year is ending on a very somber note for us in St Lucia. The level of economic activity and public spending that we witnessed during Christmas was a clear indication that this country is still struggling to find its feet after the decline of the past few years. In fact, there are lingering fears that things could get worse before they begin to get better.
THE recent appointment of 23 city police officers by the Office of the Castries Constituency Council (CCC) in an effort to stem criminality in the city is a commendable move that was way past due. Over the years, the lament has been that not enough security personnel were deployed in the city to ensure the safety of citizens and tourists, especially during rush hour and peak business days. That anomaly has resulted in many calling on the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force to step up its efforts at fighting crime by filling that need.
THAT a framework agreement signed by the Government of Saint Lucia and an investor, DSH Caribbean Star Limited finds its way into the public domain despite clauses contained therein that speak to confidentiality is a precarious scenario. Firstly, it speaks to the government’s quality of security measures in keeping confidential records confidential. Obviously, the ostensible “leaking” of the 20-page agreement is a major concern for any investor pondering whether they should plunk down a sizeable sum of money in any project here.
With just over a week left to go in 2016 before the new one creeps in, there seems to be some sense of optimism brooding on the horizon. However, there is still that nagging school of thought that everything will go downhill, especially among those still wishing that the government – and by extension, the country — fails.
A truly outstanding Caribbean personality passed away last Friday, but sadly, the majority of people in the region might not have heard of him, far less be aware of his claim to fame. In fact, so little was said at the time of his death that had it not been for the words of tribute from OECS Director General Didacus Jules, his passing might have gone largely unnoticed.
TWO of the regular contributors to the columns of this newspaper have raised the matter of a Freedom of Information Act for St Lucia, in their separate articles this week. We welcome the suggestions since they are in line with our own thinking, voiced as recently as last month, about the need for information to be made available to our citizens so as to help them enlighten themselves about issues facing the country.
THE recent uproar by the membership of the Castries Vendors Arcade that the monthly rental of booths would increase from $120 to $138 this month will obviously make the Castries Constituency Council (CCC) look like a dinosaur trying to eat a housefly. However, that is not necessarily the case.
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EVEN in the worst times, some of the best lessons in life must not find us missing them. Quite often whenever constructive criticism is given, one gets the impression that such criticism must be based solely on highlighting the negative. Sadly, the positives often go unnoticed — or worse – unrecognized…
FOR some time now we have been impressed with the work of the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation, the way it has been fulfilling its mandate of promoting economic and social development in this very important southwestern town.
WITH about a month to go before Christmas Day, many Saint Lucians are hoping that the season does turn out to be a festive one. All year long, it has been a tough challenge for people to manage their affairs, whether employed or not.
![Image of Dr. Ubaldus Raymond [PHOTO: Stan Bishop]](https://thevoiceslu.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Dr-Raymond-says-Saint-Lucias-high-debt-is-creating-headaches-for-governments-plans-mid-600x400.jpg)
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